Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Gauge Information
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:
16.5
Moderate Flood Stage:
14.5
Flood Stage:
10
Action Stage:
9
Historical Crests (1) 26.00 ft on 04/01/1791 (2) 20.70 ft on 07/16/1916 (3) 19.22 ft on 09/08/2004 (4) 19.00 ft on 08/13/1940 (5) 18.74 ft on 08/16/1928 Show More Historical Crests
Low Water Records (1) 0.65 ft on 07/17/1936 (2) 0.85 ft on 07/22/1986 (3) 0.96 ft on 11/07/1939 (4) 0.97 ft on 10/15/1941 (5) 1.01 ft on 09/12/2002 Show More Low Water Records
Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.
Extended rating:
Rating Curve Extension - The Rating Curve Extension is calculated by using either a linear, logarithmic, or hydraulic technique to extend the rating curve above the currently established relationship between stage and flow.
Flood Impacts
26
RECORD FLOOD STAGES WILL CAUSE SERIOUS DISRUPTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THE VALLEY. MODERATE FLOODING WILL OCCUR BETWEEN AZALEA STREET AND CHEESBOROUGH BRIDGE.
21.5
EXPECT NEAR RECORD FLOODING IN BILTMORE VILLAGE...CAUSING DISRUPTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THE VALLEY.
19
MAJOR FLOODING OF BUSINESSES AND HOMES WILL OCCUR ALONG THE RIVER BETWEEN CHEESBOROUGH BRIDGE AND STONER ROADS. AT THIS LEVEL FLOODING WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE FLOOD THAT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 8 2004 WITH HURRICANE FRANCES.
18.5
MAJOR FLOODING BETWEEN THE RIVER AND BROCK STREET WILL EXTEND OVER TO SWAN...BOSTON AND ANGLE STREETS.
18
MAJOR FLOODING OF BUSINESSES AND HOMES ALONG THE RIVER WILL OCCUR DOWNSTREAM OF STONER ROAD. PARTS OF THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD WILL BE FLOODED.
16.51
MAJOR FLOOD STAGE...THE BILTMORE AVENUE ROAD NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE WILL BE FLOODED. MOST BUILDINGS AND OTHER AREAS WILL BE FLOODED BETWEEN THE RIVER AND NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD TRACKS. AT THIS LEVEL FLOODING WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE FLOOD OF SEPTEMBER SEVENTEENTH 2004.
15.5
MODERATE FLOODING CONTINUES...BUILDINGS AND OTHER AREAS BETWEEN THE RIVER AND BROCK AND FAIRVIEW ROADS WILL BE FLOODED.
15
MODERATE FLOODING OF BUILDINGS ALONG BROOK STREET...HENDERSONVILLE ROAD AND DECATUR STREET WILL BEGIN. WATER REACHES SWEETEN CK RD BETWEEN BILTMORE AVE AND LONDON RD.
14.5
MODERATE FLOODING BEGINS...SWEETEN CREEK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED ALONG THE SWANNANOA RIVER RD EAST OF BILTMORE AVENUE. BILTMORE VILLAGE WILL BE FLOODED.
12
WATER WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD SOME BUILDINGS ON GARFIELD STREET. MOST AREAS ALONG SWANNANOA RIVER ROAD... FROM CALEDONIA ROAD TO BILTMORE AVE WILL BE FLOODED.
11.5
WATER REACHES SOME BUILDINGS ALONG GARFIELD STREET BUT DOES NOT GET INTO THE BUILDINGS.
10
FLOOD STAGE- THE RIVER WILL CAUSE BACKWATER EFFECTS ON SWEETEN CREEK...WHICH WILL APPROACH SOME BUILDINGS ALONG GARFIELD ROAD. WATER WILL BEGIN FLOODING PARTS OF NC 81...CALEDONIA ROAD TO GLENDALE ROAD AND APPROACHS THOMPSON AND LODGE ROADS.
9
THE DEER PARK-BILTMORE ESTATES BRIDGE WILL LIKELLY BE OVERTOPPED.
8.5
BANKFULL STAGE...LOW LYING AREAS BETWEEN SWANNONOA RIVER ROAD AND THE RIVER WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD. BACKWATER ON SWEETEN CREEK WILL ALSO START TO FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS NEAR THE CREEK.
Ensemble Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) Hydrographs for this site are now available at:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crh/rfc/RFCoutputMap.php?gph=P&lid=BLTN7&hsa=GSP&rfc=lmrfc
(best view with FireFox software)
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.
